 Parks, Protected Areas, Open Spaces and Public Places. March 8-11, 2017 The Banff Centre Banff, Alberta Notice: For further information please contact This event is hosted by Alberta Recreation & Parks, Not WLCE. Dr. ElizabethHalpenny, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Tel: 780-492-5702, Email: elizabeth.halpenny@ualberta.ca. ARPA is excited to announce that they will be hosting a national parks conference in 2017! The 2017 Canadian Parks Conference will build off of the momentum and outcomes of the 2016 Canadian Parks Summit, and include speakers and topics of interest on themes, opportunities and issues discussed at the Summit. College and university students are invited to present a poster at the 2017 Canadian Parks Conference in Banff, Alberta. The conference theme is “Parks for All”, and features the following strategic directions: Connect, Conserve, Collaborate, and Leadership & Sustainability. Submissions are encouraged to align with one or more of these themes. Submissions from the natural and social sciences as well as the humanities are encouraged. ABOUT THE PARKS FORUM: The 2017 Canadian Parks Conference is a 2.5 day national conference that is attended by municipal, provincial and federal parks practitioners and researchers. A wide range of topics will be presented, ranging from strategic level issues to operational best practice (see http://arpaonline.ca/events/2017-canadian-parks-conference/). Student registration is $300; reduced one-day registrations are possible. HOW TO APPLY: Submit a 200 word (max) abstract that outlines the content of your proposed poster/e-presentation, and outline briefly its relevance to parks operations, management, planning or policy. Due date for abstracts is November 10, 2016. Send abstract to Dr. Elizabeth Halpenny at elizabeth.halpenny@ulberta.ca. Students may submit an abstract and poster with their instructor(s) or as a team of students, but one student must be the lead author.ABSTRACT/POSTER SELECTION: A committee of reviewers composed of park agency personnel and post-secondary instructors will review all abstracts and invite all relevant posters for participation at the 2016 Canadian Parks Conference. Lead authors of the top 10 abstracts will receive $250 each in financial support. Best abstracts will be identified using the following criteria: (a) abstract preparation, (b) subject matter’s level of innovation, and (c) relevancy to park operations, management or planning. Approval of poster abstracts will be announced Dec. 12, 2016; authors of approved abstracts will be invited to create and present their posters at the 2016 Canadian Parks Conference. PRESENTATION OF POSTERS: Posters will be displayed during a social event at the Canadian Parks Conference Thursday March 9 or Friday March 10, 2017. Students are expected to interpret their posters to conference delegates; it will be an excellent opportunity to network with park professionals, and for park professionals to learn more about what students are studying and the kinds of employment/collaboration opportunities students are seeking. FINANCIAL AWARDS: In addition to the $250/poster financial support being provided to the top 10 submitted poster/presentation abstracts, awards for best posters/e-presentations will be identified at the 2017 Canadian Parks Conference. The authors of the 1stplace and 2nd place posters/e-presentations will receive financial awards ($250 & $150 respectively). Best posters/e-presentations will be identified using the following criteria: (a) effectiveness to communicate and visual appeal, (b) advancement of scientific understanding, and (c) relevancy to park operations, management, planning, or policy. |